Fuel filler door module

ABSTRACT

A fuel filler door module for installation in a motor vehicle is provided with a trough body that can be placed in a vehicle body along with a fuel filler door pivoted to the trough body. The trough body exhibits an axial through opening for accommodating a fuel filler neck, and a radially outwardly projecting fastening edge for attachment to the motor vehicle body. The fastening edge has a flexible sealing element arranged on it with a first sealing section that forms a sealing abutment against an interior side of the fuel filler door, extends in the radial direction and can be deformed in an axial direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to German Patent Application No.102013016455.9 filed Oct. 2, 2013, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a fuel filler door module forinstallation in a motor vehicle. The fuel filler door module hereexhibits a trough body that can be placed in a vehicle body along with afuel filler door pivoted to the trough body. The fuel filler door can beused to seal the trough body from the outside.

BACKGROUND

Fuel filler door modules for installation in motor vehicles aresufficiently known. They exhibit a trough body that can be placed in acorresponding opening of a vehicle body, and typically exhibits an axialthrough hole for accommodating and guiding a fuel filler neck in theregion of a floor section that comes to lie inside the body. The fuelfiller door which is usually pivoted to a radially outer edge of thetrough body can here be switched into a closed position and a releaseposition by means of a suitable locking and unlocking mechanism.

In the closed position, the fuel filler door most often extends flush inthe outer contour of a motor vehicle body, so that it seals the troughbody and protects it against the penetration of dust and/or dirt.Push-push mechanisms are known for locking and unlocking a fuel fillerdoor, which are distinguished by the fact that exerting an axiallyinwardly directed pressure on the fuel filler door unlocks the seal,after which the fuel filler door can be swiveled into an openedposition. In order to unlock a push-push closing mechanism, however, thefuel filler door must first be pressed further inward by a prescribedamount proceeding from its flush, closed position, excessively pressed,as it were. DE 10 2009 039 810 A1 describes such a fuel filler doormodule designed for a push-push mechanism with a trough body, whichexhibits a flange-like fastening edge protruding radially outward. Aflexibly deformable, continuous axial sealing strap is further providedthat extends along the fastening edge. In relation to a through openingof the trough body provided for a fuel filler neck, however, the latterextends axially outward, and comes to abut against an interior side of afuel filler door pivoted to the trough body in a closed position.

The sealing strap extending in an axial direction must here be deformedor compressed in an axial direction to move the fuel filler door into anopen position. At times, this requires a comparatively high exertion offorce. In addition, the flexibility or elasticity of the axial sealingstrap may diminish, for example induced by ageing, which under certainconditions can impair the function of the locking mechanism of the fuelfiller door module during long-term operation.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fuel filler doormodule that has been made more user and operator friendly, whose lockingand unlocking mechanism can be actuated with a comparatively lowexertion of force, and which enables a reliable and low-maintenancelong-term operation.

A fuel filler door module is provided for installation in a motorvehicle. The fuel filler door module exhibits a trough body that can beplaced in a motor vehicle body, more precisely in a motor vehicle bodyopening. A fuel filler door is here further pivoted to the trough body.In a closed position, the fuel filler door seals the trough body quasicompletely, so that the fuel filler door comes to abut flush in theouter contour of the motor vehicle body. The trough body exhibits afastening edge that protrudes radially outward for attachment to themotor vehicle body. The fastening edge can typically be used to attachthe trough body to an opening margin of the body opening that is axiallyretracted in relation to the body outer contour.

The trough body further exhibits a floor section that in a finalassembly position typically comes to lie on the motor vehicle body inthe vehicle interior. The area of the floor section is provided with anaxial through opening for accommodating a fuel filler neck. In a finalassembly configuration, the fuel filler neck passes through the throughopening, so that a fill opening of the fuel filler neck comes to lieinside the trough body that can be sealed by means of the fuel fillerdoor.

A flexible sealing element is further situated on the fastening edge ofthe trough body. On an interior side of the fuel filler door, the latterexhibits a first sealing section that forms a sealing abutment, extendsin a radial direction (r) and can be deformed in an axial direction (y).The axial direction (y) here extends in roughly the transverse directionof the vehicle (y) relative to a conventional arrangement in the lateralwall of a motor vehicle body. The through opening of the trough body istypically roughly circular in design, and here typically defines a planeperpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the fuel filler neck. Thelongitudinal extension of the fuel filler neck or the roughlycylindrical or cup-shaped configuration of the trough body here yields atype of cylindrical geometry that defines the radial and axial directionin the present context.

The axial direction and radial direction can equally refer to thegeometry of the opening margin of the body opening. While the axialdirection typically extends perpendicular to the respective body outercontour, the radial direction and a tangential direction perpendicularthereto typically coincides with the plane of the opening margin of thebody opening, into which the trough body can be placed to form a seal.

Because the first sealing section of the sealing element extends in aradial direction, typically roughly parallel to the plane of the fuelfiller door, and can further be deformed in an axial direction, thesealing element provided here can on the one hand provide a sealingfunction between the trough body and fuel filler door. On the otherhand, the sealing element with its first sealing section that extends ina radial direction and forms a sealing abutment is comparatively easy todeform expending only a relatively low actuating force.

The exertion of force necessary for actuating a locking and unlockingmechanism, such as a push-push mechanism, can be reduced in this way. Inaddition, the radial extension and axial deformability of the firstsealing section of the flexible sealing element makes it possible toprovide a sufficient functional reliability for the locking andunlocking mechanism even during the long-term operation of the fuelfiller door module, even if the flexibility of the sealing elementshould be subjected to some changes, e.g., as the result of ageing.

As a result of the radial extension and axially facilitateddeformability, any ageing processes that may occasionally limit theflexibility of the sealing element have only minor ramifications on theminimal actuating force to be applied to open or close the fuel fillerdoor.

In another embodiment, the first sealing section forms a free endsection of the sealing element. In other words, the sealing elementexhibits a free end section, roughly in the form of a sealing lip or asealing profile. The sealing element is typically designed as a sealingprofile, wherein the first sealing section represents a free end of theprofile cross section. A free end section, i.e., an end section that isonly joined with the remaining sealing profile on one side, isespecially easy to axially deform.

In another embodiment, the first sealing section of the sealing elementextends essentially parallel to the fuel filler door that is in theclosed position. In relation to the base geometry of the trough body,the fuel filler door that is in the closed position typically extends inthe plane formed by a tangential direction and radial direction.Consequently, the interior side of the fuel filler door extends in aradial plane, so that the first sealing section of the sealing elementextending in the radial direction extends parallel and along theinterior side of the fuel filler door.

Such a parallel extension, in particular by a free end section of thesealing element, leads to a comparatively large mutual, effectivesealing surface or to a comparatively large mutual abutment surfacebetween the first sealing section and fuel filler door. This makes itpossible to achieve a good sealing effect, and the interior of thetrough body can be effectively protected against the penetration ofdust, dirt and/or moisture.

In another embodiment, the sealing element exhibits a second sealingsection, which forms a sealing abutment against an opening margin of thebody. In this way, the sealing element provided on the fastening edge ofthe trough body can perform a dual function. On the one hand, its firstsealing section can seal the trough body interior away from the fuelfiller door. On the other hand, the second sealing section of thesealing element can produce a seal between the trough body and the body.

The first and second sealing section can be joined together into asingle piece or be designed as integral constituents to be one and thesame flexible sealing element. In particular, the second sealing sectioncan extend radially outward, so as to especially seal an exterior sideof the trough body-side fastening edge away from the roughly axiallyretracted opening margin of the body.

In another embodiment, the fastening edge of the trough body isenveloped by the sealing element. In particular, the sealing element canbe annular in design, and continually envelop the fastening edge of thetrough body in its entirety. It is here further conceivable that thesealing element envelops the fastening edge of the trough body radiallyas well. Further, the sealing element can also cross-sectionally overlapand/or border the fastening edge of the trough body like a bulge, sothat the trough body, upon reaching a final assembly position, abutsagainst the motor vehicle body via the fastening edge and against therespective body opening via the sealing element arranged thereon.

In another embodiment, the first sealing section extends in a radialdirection, spaced apart from the fastening edge. It can here extend bothradially outward and radially inward. Having the first sealing sectionbe spaced axially apart, in particular axially outward in relation tothe fastening edge, is especially advantageous for its axialdeformability. It is here provided in particular that an interior sideof the first sealing section facing away from the fuel filler door haveformed on it a free space, which permits a comparatively easy axialdeformation and a corresponding axial evasive movement of the firstsealing section.

The free space behind or under the first sealing section can bestipulated by the profile geometry of the flexible sealing element.However, it is also conceivable to arrange the first sealing section onthe fastening edge in such a way that, while exposed to an inwardlydirected pressure exerted by the fuel filler door, it can yield in anaxial direction to at least a point where a locking mechanism of thefuel filler door module preferably designed as a push-push mechanism canbe switched to its opening configuration.

The first sealing section spaced axially apart from the fastening edgeis typically designed in such a way that the sealing section can beinwardly deformed or displaced to such an extent as to enable anexcessive pressing of the fuel filler door sufficient for opening thefuel filler door.

In general, a section of the sealing element lying opposite theswiveling axis of the fuel filler door should enable a movement directedtoward the middle of the vehicle, i.e., in the axial direction, of up to10 mm, preferably of 2 to 8 mm, but at least a fuel filler door movementof 3 to 6 mm, or of at least 3 mm.

In another embodiment, the sealing element exhibits a V-shaped, C-shapedor U-shaped cross sectional contour. The first sealing section can herebe designed as one of the two legs of a V-, C- or U-shaped crosssectional contour, while the other leg is directly joined with thefastening edge of the trough body, for example. A weakening structurecan further be formed in a transitional area between the legs of such across sectional contour of the sealing element, thereby facilitating anintended axial deformation and/or a regional bending of the sealingelement.

In another embodiment, the first sealing section of the sealing elementextends radially inward from the fastening edge of the trough body. Itis here provided in particular that the free end section of the sealingelement be displaced radially inward in relation to an interior wallsection of the trough body. A deformation taking place in an axialdirection consequently makes it possible to move or deflect the firstsealing section in an axial direction toward the interior wall of thetrough body. Given such an inwardly directed radial extension of thefirst sealing section from the fastening edge, it is further conceivablefor the sealing element to exhibit an essentially indentation-free crosssectional contour, e.g., a rectangular, oval, ribbon-type or lath-shapedcross sectional contour.

In a further development of the above, the first sealing section canalso project radially inward into the trough body. In this regard, thefirst sealing section can completely cover the fastening edge of thetrough body toward the exterior side of the body. The first sealingsection can here form a continuous, radially inwardly projecting sealinglip on the fastening edge of the trough body.

For this embodiment, a further development also provides that theinterior side of the fuel filler door exhibit an axially inwardlyprojecting web, which abuts against the first sealing section of thesealing element in the closed position of the fuel filler door. Inparticular, the axially inwardly extending web of the fuel filler doorcan extend essentially perpendicular, i.e., parallel to the surfacenormal of the essentially planar designed fuel filler door. It is hereprovided in particular that the fuel filler door-side web protruding inan axial direction extend roughly perpendicular to the radially inwardlyextending sealing section of the sealing element.

In this respect, a radially outwardly facing side of the web comes toform a sealing abutment with a radially internal face of the sealingsection. It is here provided in particular that the first sealingsection extend radially inward to such an extent as to directly engagethe axially inwardly projecting web of the fuel filler door. Whileclosing the fuel filler door, the free end of the sealing elementprojecting radially inward is thus pressed axially inward to at least aslight extent, so that a dirt and moisture-proof arrangement of the fuelfiller door and sealing element can be formed.

In another embodiment, the web provided on the fuel filler door isdesigned as a ring closed in the circumferential direction. The latterexhibits a radially outwardly directed lateral surface, which can bemade to form a sealing abutment with the radially inwardly projectingfirst sealing section of the sealing element. In order to create acomplete seal for the internal space of the trough body, it is hereprovided in particular that the inwardly projecting first sealingsection of the sealing element be given an annular and continuouslyclosed design to correspond with the fuel filler door-side web. In thisway, an alternating arrangement of fuel filler door and trough body canbe provided that forms a complete seal.

In another embodiment, the trough body and sealing element are designedas a two- or multi-component plastic die casting. It can here beprovided in particular that the sealing element be joined with thetrough body in situ during an injection molding process. This makes itpossible to omit a separate process for assembling the sealing elementon the trough body. Further, nearly any prescribed geometry for thetrough body and/or the sealing element to be arranged thereon can berealized to within a required dimensional accuracy and in acost-effective manner by appropriately configuring and tailoring theinjection molding tools and injection molding processes.

It can further be provided that the sealing element exhibits a plasticmaterial that is comparatively soft and/or elastically deformable bycomparison to the trough body. The trough body itself can also befabricated during a plastic injection molding process. The trough body,in particular its roughly cylindrical pot section, can exhibit acomparatively hard and dimensionally stable plastic, such aspolypropylene, while the sealing element exhibits a thermoplasticpolymer or thermoplastic elastomer that is soft and deformable bycomparison, or consists entirely of such a material.

This makes it possible to provide a structural rigidity sufficient forthe trough body on the one hand, and gives the sealing element enoughelasticity for its intended purpose on the other. In particular anatural or synthetic rubber is possible for the mentioned thermoplasticpolymer, such as ethylene-propylene-diene rubber or a styrene-butadienerubber.

At least sections of the floor section of the trough body arrangedopposite the fastening edge can also be fabricated out of the sameplastic material as the sealing element. In particular, an openingmargin of the through opening provided for the fuel filler neck canexhibit a bellows-like configuration in the floor section of the troughbody, so that the fuel filler neck can be secured to the trough bodycushioned against vibration, with comparatively large installationtolerances.

In another aspect a motor vehicle body is provided with a fuel fillerdoor module described above. Finally provided in another aspect is amotor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, which exhibits at leastone fuel filler door module described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a fuel filler door module as seen from thevehicle interior;

FIG. 2 is a cross section through the fuel filler door module shown inFIG. 1 along intersecting line A-A;

FIG. 3 is a magnified view of the sealing element arranged on thefastening edge of the trough body according to a first embodiment, and

FIG. 4 is a magnified view of another embodiment of the sealing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the present disclosure or the application and usesof the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to bebound by any theory presented in the preceding background or thefollowing detailed description.

The fuel filler door module 1 depicted from the vehicle interior on FIG.1 exhibits a trough body 2, which forms a quasi-cylindrical trough foraccommodating a fuel filler neck that is not explicitly shown. Thetrough body 2 exhibits a floor section 3 that is inwardly directedtoward the middle of the vehicle, and in which a through opening 4 foraccommodating the fuel filler neck is formed.

The opening margin of the through opening 4 is further provided with abellows-like bezel 6, which typically is made out of a flexiblematerial. As a result, the fuel filler neck can be joined with thetrough body 2, and hence with the vehicle body 7, cushioned againstvibration, even given comparatively large assembly tolerances.

Opposite the floor section 3, the trough body 2 further exhibits acontinuous, radially outwardly directed fastening edge 8 with aflange-like design shown on FIG. 2. The trough body 2 can be placed inan opening of a vehicle body 7 provided for the fuel filler door module,and secured to an opening margin 14 provided there and denoted on FIGS.3 and 4.

As depicted on FIGS. 3 and 4, the opening margin 14 exhibits a radiallyinwardly directed fastening flange 14 a that is retracted by comparisonto the exterior side of the body 7, and against which the radiallyoutwardly protruding fastening edge 8 of the trough body 2 is supportedaxially, i.e., in the transverse direction of the vehicle (y), in thefinal installation position.

The fuel filler door module 1 further exhibits a fuel filler door 10pivoted to the trough body 2. The fuel filler door 10 is pivoted to aswiveling axis 5 of the trough body 2. A locking and unlocking mechanism16 is provided on a side of the trough body 2 lying opposite theswiveling axis 5, which typically can be activated like a push-pushmechanism. In this regard, the trough body 2 is provided with an endstop 9, against which the fuel filler door 10 can be pressed to bringabout an unlocked configuration. The fuel filler door 10 in this respectexhibits a door support 11, which interacts with the end stop 9 of thetrough body 2 to exert a locking or unlocking action. A cover plate 12is axially spaced apart from the door support 11 and secured thereto,which in the closed position shown on FIG. 2 comes to lie essentiallyflush with the outer contour of the adjoining body 7.

As depicted in the two magnified views on FIGS. 3 and 4, a sealingelement 20, 30 is arranged on the radially outwardly projectingfastening edge 8 designed roughly as a flange. The sealing element 20exemplarily depicted in cross section on FIG. 3 exhibits a free firstsealing section 22 that extends essentially in the radial direction (r),and forms a sealing abutment on the interior side 13 of the fuel fillerdoor 10, on roughly the interior side of the cover plate 12 of the fuelfiller door 10.

The first sealing section 22 is here designed as a free end section ofthe sealing element 20, so that a hollow space or free space remains inthe axial direction between the first sealing section 22 and theremaining sealing element 20. The latter allows an especially easy andreversible elastic deformation of the first sealing section 22 in theaxial direction (y), for example when excessively pressing the fuelfiller door 10 axially inward.

The sealing element 20 is C-shaped or U-shaped in design, and extendsover the entire outer circumference of the fastening edge 8. Because thefirst sealing section 22 of the sealing element 20 extends approximatelyparallel to the interior side 13 of the fuel filler door 10, and henceparallel to the cover plate 12, a comparatively large-area, mutualabutment surface also arises between the first sealing section 22 andthe fuel filler door 10. An especially good sealing effect can beprovided in this way.

In addition, the sealing element 20 exhibits a second, radiallyoutwardly extending sealing section 24, which comes to form a sealingabutment against the body-side opening margin 14. In this way, thesealing element 20 can provide a twofold sealing function. It canprovide a seal between the trough body 2 and fuel filler door 10 withits first sealing section 22, and a seal between the trough body 2 andadjacent vehicle body 7 with its second sealing section 24.

Due to its cross section, namely a C-, V- or U-shaped cross sectionalgeometry, and the resultant leg that comes to abut against the interiorside 13 of the fuel filler door 10, the sealing element 20 is especiallyeasy to deform in the axial direction (y). In this regard, an actuatingforce for the locking and unlocking mechanism can be reduced.

In the alternative embodiment according to FIG. 4, the sealing element30 exhibits an essentially straight or planar surface contour. Thesealing element 30 is provided with a first sealing section 32 thatextends in the radial direction here as well. However, while the firstsealing section 22 of the sealing element 20 according to FIG. 3 extendsradially outward, the first sealing section 32 of the sealing element 30shown on FIG. 4 is directed radially inward.

As depicted on FIG. 4, the first sealing section 32 also designed as afree end section of the sealing element 30 protrudes into the troughbody 2, and thus comes to rest spaced apart from the interior side ofthe trough body 2. In addition to the above, the fuel filler door 10,here its cover plate 12, exhibits an axially inwardly directed, annularweb 18, whose radially outwardly directed lateral surface 15 interactswith the free end of the radially inwardly directed first sealingsection 32 of the sealing element 30 in a sealing or frictional manner.

The first sealing section 32 of the sealing element 30 shown in FIG. 4in cross section along with the axially inwardly projecting web 18 areannularly or continually arranged along the fastening edge 8 or alongthe outer contour of the fuel filler door 10, so as to be able toprovide a continuous and complete seal. The alternative embodimentdepicted on FIG. 4 can also be used to provide for a particularlyeffortless actuation of the locking and unlocking mechanism based on thepush-push principle.

The first sealing section 32 of the sealing element 30 extendingradially inwardly like a lip is relatively easy to deform in the axialdirection (y) due to its comparatively thin configuration, but even moreso also because it is arranged so as to extend freely inward into theinterior of the trough body 2. As in the case of the sealing element 20,the sealing element 30 also exhibits a radially outwardly protruding,second sealing section 34, with which the trough body 2 can be arrangedso as to achieve a seal with the opening margin 14 of the motor vehiclebody 7.

Let it further be noted with respect to the depictions on FIGS. 3 and 4that the sealing elements 20, 30 possibly mounted on the fastening edge8 under a pre-stress are each shown in their completely relaxed basicconfiguration, in which they seemingly pass through the opening margin14 of the body. In this regard, the cross sectional views on FIGS. 3 and4 reflect the degree of required deformation for the sealing elements20, 30 during use as intended.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment is only an example, and are not intended to limitthe scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure inany way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide thoseskilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing anexemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may bemade in the function and arrangement of elements described in anexemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legalequivalents.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A fuel filler door module for installation in a motor vehicle comprising: a trough body configured to be placed in a vehicle body and having an axial through opening for accommodating a fuel filler neck and a radially outwardly projecting fastening edge for attachment to the motor vehicle body; a fuel filler door pivoted to the trough body; and a flexible sealing element arranged on the fastening edge, the flexible sealing element includes a first sealing section that forms a sealing abutment against an interior side of the fuel filler door, extends in the radial direction and is deformable in an axial direction.
 16. The fuel filler door module according to claim 15, wherein the first sealing section forms a free end section of the sealing element.
 17. The fuel filler door module according to claim 15, wherein the first sealing section extends essentially parallel to the fuel filler door when in the closed position.
 18. The fuel filler door module according to claim 15, wherein the sealing element comprises a second sealing section configured to form a sealing abutment against an opening margin of the vehicle body.
 19. The fuel filler door module according to claim 15, wherein the fastening edge of the trough body is enveloped by the sealing element.
 20. The fuel filler door module according to claim 15, wherein the first sealing section extends in a radial direction, spaced apart from the fastening edge.
 21. The fuel filler door module according to claim 20, wherein the sealing element has a cross-sectional contour having at least one of a V-shaped, C-shaped or U-shaped configuration.
 22. The fuel filler door module according to claim 15, wherein the first sealing section extends radially inward from the fastening edge.
 23. The fuel filler door module according to claim 22, wherein the first sealing section projects radially inward into the trough body.
 24. The fuel filler door module according to claim 22, wherein the interior side of the fuel filler door comprises an axially inwardly projecting web, which abuts against the first sealing section of the sealing element in the closed position of the fuel filler door.
 25. The fuel filler door module according to claim 24, wherein the web comprises a ring closed in the circumferential direction and a radially outwardly directed lateral surface configured to form a sealing abutment with the radially inwardly projecting first sealing section.
 26. The fuel filler door module according to 15, wherein the trough body and the sealing element comprise a plastic die casting having at least two components.
 27. A motor vehicle body comprising a fuel filler door module according to claim
 15. 28. A motor vehicle comprising a vehicle body having a fuel filler door module according to claim
 15. 29. A motor vehicle body comprising: a body panel; a trough body placed in the body panel and having an axial through opening for accommodating a fuel filler neck and a radially outwardly projecting fastening edge attached to the body panel; a fuel filler door pivoted to the trough body; and a flexible sealing element arranged on the fastening edge, the flexible sealing element including a first sealing section that forms a sealing abutment against an interior side of the fuel filler door, extends in the radial direction and is deformable in an axial direction.
 30. A motor vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a body panel; a fuel filler neck; a trough body placed in the body panel and having an axial through opening to accommodate the fuel filler neck and a radially outwardly projecting fastening edge attached to the body panel; a fuel filler door pivoted to the trough body; and a flexible sealing element arranged on the fastening edge, the flexible sealing element including a first sealing section that forms a sealing abutment against an interior side of the fuel filler door, extends in the radial direction and is deformable in an axial direction. 